THERE was a great success at the Thomas Hobbes Symposium this weekend in 17th-century political philosopher Thomas Hobbes’s home town of Malmesbury, kindly hosted at the Abbey House Gardens and held in the library there.
The speakers included local philosopher Dr Finn Spicer, speaking on ‘Choosing to co-operate in Hobbes’ World’, Dr Naomi Goulder of New College London on ‘Hobbes and self-interest’, and Dr Seiriol Morgan of the University of Bristol on ‘Rousseau and property as the source of all evil’. A fascinating panel discussion then followed this.
We have a wealth of history and thinking here in Wiltshire to celebrate, and to use in helping us chart our way forward. For more information and recordings of the weekend’s lectures find us on the Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury Society’s Facebook site.
DR BRIAN MATHEW
Councillor for Box & Colerne